The Detroit Pistons have inked free-agent forward Josh Smith to a four-year, $56 million deal, formally ending the Atlanta native’s days of playing for his hometown Hawks.
According to ESPN, Smith’s agent, Brian Dukes, confirmed to them his client is heading north after settling on the Pistons over the prospect of resigning with the Hawks or accepting an offer from the Houston Rockets.
Having just signed new Coach Maurice Cheeks, the Pistons and GM Joe Dumars have been intent on being major players in the free-agent game from the very start. And the versatile Smith always seemed to be their top target. He now joins a rotation that includes young-up-and-coming big men Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
Over the last few days as it became more apparent Smith might be looking to make a move, the Hawks had expressed a willingness to work out a sign-and-trade deal for him, but in the end the Pistons were able to clear enough salary-cap space to make the deal on their own.
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